PORT NAPIER SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION BY HEROIC ACTION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6699, 28 August 1928, Page 8

PORT NAPIER SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION BY HEROIC ACTION

Fire Exdnguiskd After Twelve Hoars’ Battle MUCH VALUABLE CARGO JETTISONED United Press Association—By Electw Telegraph—Copyright. .Received Monday, 5.6 p.m, SUVA, Aug. 27. The Fiji Times correspondent at Pago Pago states that the fire on the Port J\ T apier started at seven on Friday morning, in number four hold. The cause is unknown. . After the fire was discovered an ammonia tank exploded at 7.10 a.m. and a second one at 10 a.m., blowing open the cargo door and bulging the deck. The captain sent a radio message to Pago Pago -whore the vessel arrived and docked at seven o ’clock in the ' evening. .... The Navy personnel and civilians under the expert management of Act-ing-Governor Commander Le Burgonies tackled the fire immediately. Owing to their foresight and heroic efforts in spite of gravest danger, the fire Was completely extinguished at three on Saturday morning. ’ ■ The cargo jettisoned included matches, tar, paint, bales etcetera. The damaged cargo is being discharged at Pag Pago. The cargo for Fiji is of t & value of £250,000. Upon .receipt of word telling of the outbreak the Acting-Governor immediately recalled to Pago Pago the U.S.S. Ontario from Apia where it had gone ' the previous day to convey guests to a golf tournament with Apian champions. The Ontario arrived.- at Pago Pago at midnight. j ■ The Port Napier is how duo to sail from Suva on Sunday, or Monday at the latest. The Commonwealth and Dominion T.inn steamer Port Napier left London on 21st July with general cargo to discharge at Suva, Auckland, Dunedin, and Bluff. She was expected to arrive at Auckland on sth September. The vessel regularly runs t between New Zealand and Homo.